but / though [at end of a sentence]

[leebro]

I have a young American character in a play I'm writing. I have her saying, "You sound like you could be, but." She's not sophisticated enough to use though instead of but. I'm in Australia and I don't know whether a poorly educated American child would use but in this way. If not, what word would she use instead?

 

[Cagey]

That use of 'but' is completely unfamiliar to me. It doesn't sound unsophisticated to an American, but wrong.

I would expect 'though' in that position.

Added: This is what our dictionary has to say about that adverbial use of but:

2. Scot Austral NZ informal though; however: it's a rainy day: warm, but

​

That explains it.

 

[Hildy1]

The "but" may be the first word in a clause that is not finished.
- You sound like you could be, but... (I'm not quite convinced, etc.)

Could you provide more context, particularly the sentence before and the one after the one you quoted?

 

[leebro]

Hi Cagey

Thanks. I know it's wrong. But do you know whether there's a slang word used by some Americans in place of though at the end of a sentence?

Lee

 

[leebro]

Hi Hildy1

Him: I'm British, but, no, I'm not related to the Queen.

Her: You sound like you could be, but. Does everyone tell you that?

Do you know whether there's a slang word used by some Americans in place of though at the end of a sentence?

 

[Cagey]

No, I don't, unfortunately.

I am not certain how hold this child is, and what her linguistic ability is supposed to be, but 'though' is the most natural tag to the end of that sentence as it is written. It is not a slangy sentence, to my ear.

 

[leebro]

I'll stick with though. Thanks.